Chapters

Florida Youth SHINE is broken up into 14 chapters across the state of Florida. Chapters are local groups and the organizing structure of FYS. This is where you can get involved as a member and learn how to advocate for yourself and your fellow peers. Chapters are open to members ages 13-26 who have lived experience in out-of-home care (i.e. group home care, foster home, adopted, non-relative care, relative care, reunification).

 

Each chapter identifies what is most needed by youth in out-of-home care in their community and work together to come up with solutions. By engaging in activities around their communities, chapters have the opportunity to educate the public while also gaining valuable life skills. The primary goal for local chapters is to provide a voice for youth in their community so that they can address local issues on a statewide level. Chapters frequently collaborate to identify and work on their Statewide priority topics for the year.

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Interested in getting involved? Reach out to our Statewide Coordinator, Maria Batista at maria.batista@floridaschildrenfirst.org for info about getting involved in your local chapter!